After London's resignation, what happens next?

Officials are talking about what comes next a day after Department of Public Safety Commissioner Brian London resigned.

"A lot of people were unhappy with the way leadership was going in our department," said State Patrol spokesman Sgt. Scott Bright at a news conference on Wednesday.

Bright said morale had plunged under London's command the past 10 months. He said the department is excited to have former Commissioner Larry Noble back in the position he left to retire over a year ago.

Bright said Noble has been around for 30 years, in the legislature and with the State Patrol, giving him a good idea of how the Department of Public Safety was run in the past.

IMPACT ON HEDLUND CASE?

State Sen. Jeff Danielson told KCCI on Wednesday that London's resignation could impact former special agent Larry Hedlund's case.

Hedlund was fired from the department and is now suing the state. He said the goal of his lawsuit is to restore his reputation and credibility. The lawsuit specifically names London, DCI Director Chari Paulson and assistant DCI director Gerard Meyers.

Danielson said he is hopeful that Hedlund will be reinstated. He believe that Hedlund's "firing was unjustified."

BRANSTAD REACTION:

Gov. Terry Branstad said Wednesday that he accepted London's resignation Tuesday because he wants to restore "stability and predictability" to the department after a year of turmoil. He called the resignation "appropriate."

Branstad said that London had a phenomenal resume in law enforcement, but he did not fully understand the culture of public safety in Iowa.

Branstad also said that a "there were a lot of people that just didn't really feel comfortable" with London's leadership style.

On Wednesday, the governor reinstated Larry Noble as commissioner, a job Noble held in 2011 and 2012. Branstad told reporters in Coralville on Wednesday that Noble, a former trooper and 30-year department veteran, had earned the respect of employees.

London is named in a lawsuit filed by former DCI agent Larry Hedlund who is suing the state. He claims he was fired for reporting Branstad's speeding SUV.

London also apologized last month to the Philippine ambassador to the U.S. for telling employees that Filipinos were hard to polygraph.

In a news release, Branstad said, “I am pleased to bring Larry Noble back to serve as Public Safety Commissioner. Larry has 30 years of experience in the Iowa Department of Public Safety, and served four years in the Iowa Senate, giving him the experience and leadership ability to restore stability and predictability within this very important department of state government."

“Larry Noble has the respect of the people within the department, and he will be a strong leader as we move forward,” said Branstad.

Copyright 2013 byKCCI The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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